By Christopher MoreheadFor the Oregon Beer GrowlerNovember is here, which means two things. First, you’ve probably recently tried a new pumpkin beer. Second, it’s the middle of fantasy football season, and you can bet that employees are spending work time managing their fantasy team.

According to a 2016 study conducted by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, employers across the country suffered an estimated $17 billion in lost wages due to employees working on their fantasy football teams while on the clock. That number is based on an estimated record 57.4 million fantasy football enthusiasts — 38.5 million of whom are employed full-time — taking an hour out of each work week for the course of the 17-week fantasy season. Those numbers have been growing annually across demographics, particularly with the enhancement of smartphone technology. Simply put, employees at all levels are generally spending more work time trying to find that next waiver wire player that will push their team — probably named something corny, like “Belichick Yo Self” — over the top. After all, bragging rights over Bob from receivables is on the line!

Realistically, some employers probably don’t know (or even care) that much about the impact of fantasy football on their employees’ productivity. But if you are legitimately concerned that employees are spending company time deciding whether to sit or bench Marcus Mariota on their fantasy team, there are few options that some employers have used over the years to address the issue.

One option is to ban fantasy football in the workplace altogether. Employers may lawfully demand that employees focus exclusively on their job duties during the workday and discipline those who play fantasy sports while working, provided such actions are done on a consistent basis and in accordance with clear, written company policies.

Of course, you should also understand that employees can just as easily use their iPhones to manage their fantasy teams. Many employers have realized that using this approach doesn’t really get them anywhere, and so it is not usually recommended go this route.

If that level of enforcement sounds too authoritarian and isn’t in line with your company’s culture, perhaps you are willing to accept the reality that many employees will, inevitably, check Facebook, Twitter and Instagram regularly. So if employees tweak their fantasy football lineup just prior to kickoff, you’ll realize that isn’t that much different than popping into a social media site.

Provided that expectations are still being met, why discipline an employee simply because he or she is managing a fantasy team? You might even check your own social media accounts while on the job. A workplace with managers who set the same expectations for themselves as they have of their subordinates is generally appreciated and fosters loyalty.

Some employers even go the extra distance and organize office fantasy leagues. Studies have suggested that short periods of unproductiveness can actually have positive impacts, like increasing morale and long-term productivity. In fact, if you’ve ever participated in an office league or an NCAA basketball tournament pool, you may have already experienced beneficial results. Of course, if you do organize an office league, it’s important to make sure people don’t go overboard with smack talk. A little banter is fine, but you don’t want anyone to turn into a real life Terry Tate, Office Linebacker.The bottom line is that fantasy football in the workplace does impact overall productivity. Just make sure that when you choose how to address it, everyone is on the same page.

64 Taphouse & Growler Station owners Lorraine Lyons and Rod Steward are pictured behind the bar of their business, which opened in early May. Beer availability is displayed via DigitalPour technology and the taster trays are made from reclaimed wood, like much of the shop’s decor. Photo by Kirby Neumann-Rea

By Kirby Neumann-ReaFor the Oregon Beer GrowlerChoose your pour ahead of time, or announce it to the world. 64 Taphouse & Growler Station in Hood River lets you anticipate and share what you’re drinking via social media.Lorraine Lyons and Rod Steward opened 64 in early May at 110 Third St. in the heart of downtown. The new business is open 11:30 a.m. until a “to-be-determined” closing time, seven days a week.Lyons and Steward installed a DigitalPour system, which registers and tracks each keg in real time, subtracts the number of ounces drawn with each sale, and once the given beer gets low, alerts both barkeep and customer.“It shows what’s tapping and what is about to blow,” Steward said.Customers can also log in via Twitter or smartphone apps such as Untappd, see what’s available and post photos and comments on pours enjoyed, which are visible on the digital tap board for all to see. The notification stays up for a day or so.The technology is familiar at some Portland taprooms, but it’s a first for Hood River.Steward said, “When I sell a beer in the register it will update it, and with our Monday-to-Friday 4-6 happy hour, it automatically adjusts all the prices.” He can also program it to let customers know what’s tapping in the days to come.The 30 taps at 64 include a variety of Northwest ales, a nitro and a regular selection of four or more ciders. Enjoy a pint in or take it to go; growler fills are mostly in the $11-12 range, depending on the selection. Glass growlers, both 32- and 64-ounce containers, are available for $4 and $6, respectively. The business also sells other beer-related gear, including T-shirts and pint glasses.64 is centrally situated among downtown breweries and taprooms, but it is the first full-scale growler station in this beer-centric burg. “We’re dedicated to the concept. You can come in and sit down at a table or pull up to a loading zone, stop, come in and get out,” Lyons said. Amenities include sidewalk, bar and mezzanine seating that is secluded while offering a top-down view of the store overlooking the massive cooler.Lyons, an insurance consultant, and Steward, a drummer and former IT guy, bring their love of craft beer to the shop they hope will be “a comfortable community spot.” Li ve music is planned and snacks are available. However, take-in food from downtown restaurants and food trucks is encouraged.